3D for Learning

When I was a child, I stumbled upon a heated discussion between my parents that has stuck with me ever since. My mother, the architect behind our new house’s design, was passionately explaining the blueprints. For her, the vision was clear—she could easily imagine the house coming to life, every room, every angle, perfectly etched in her mind. As I glanced at the architectural drawings, I too could picture it in my head, like a simple puzzle coming together. But then there was my father. He looked at the 2D drawings, his eyes scanning the lines and symbols, but no matter how hard he focused, he couldn’t picture the house in his mind. To him, the plans were just flat, abstract shapes and numbers—he couldn’t visualize how it would all come together, what it would actually feel like once built.

That moment was a revelation. I realized some people, like my mother and myself, could naturally form vivid mental images, while others, like my father, struggled to bridge the gap between paper and reality. It fascinated me, this difference in how people processed and imagined the world. But my father, ever determined, didn’t let it defeat him. He taught himself how to use SketchUp, a 3D modeling software, and spent hours building a digital version of the house. When he finally saw it in three dimensions, something clicked. He could see it now—what had once been a puzzle of flat lines and numbers suddenly came alive.

That experience left a lasting impression on me, not just about architecture, but about how people perceive the world around them. It was a reminder that sometimes, seeing isn’t just about looking—it’s about understanding in the way that works best for you.

The Benefits

Over the past decade, 3D visuals have become an essential resource in education, transforming the way concepts are taught and understood.

• Enhanced Understanding: 3D visuals allow learners to visualize abstract concepts, making them easier to understand.

• Increased Engagement: Their engaging and dynamic nature helps capture attention.

• Interactive Learning: Turning abstract ideas into interactive models is a great way to keep learners actively involved in the learning process.

• Support for Different Learning Styles: 3D visuals cater especially to visual learners but can also support kinaesthetic learners by allowing them to interact with models in a tactile way.

• Real-World Applications: 3D visuals allow learners to visualise real-world scenarios, such as architectural designs, scientific phenomena, or historical events, making the content more relevant and practical.

Examples

• Mentour Pilot is an excellent example of how 3D visuals can effectively teach abstract concepts like aerodynamics and aeronautical engineering.

• For a great example of how basic 3D visuals can bring real-world scenarios to life and boost engagement, check out LEMMiNO's video on the Kennedy Assassination—simple, yet incredibly effective.

• Sketchfab has a variety of interactive 3D models, demonstrating how this technology can be useful for learning.

  • WitmerLab at Ohio University has been using interactive 3D models to study anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics.

  • Charité University has been exploring the idea of allowing surgical staff to train in a virtual operating environment.